Bosnia: Gays v. Muslims

Gay festival closes after clash with Muslims.

Organisers of the Sarajevo Queer Festival have decided to close the event only a day after its opened, after eight people were injured in violent clashes, local media reported on Friday. Svetlana Djurkovic, one of the organisers, told a media conference late Thursday the festival was closing three days early, because of security concerns. She said a Danish film producer was hospitalised with serious injuries and several people were hurt in clashes. The festival was envisaged as a multi-cultural event aimed at promoting gay rights, but participants from several countries had been attacked by protesters, from the hardline Islamic Wahabi movement, shouting “Allahu Akhbar" (God is great). “May dear Allah give your children to Dutch queers to make porno films,” the demonstrators shouted, beating the participants. The crowd dispersed after police intervention, but other incidents occurred in several places on Thursday, Djurkovic said.

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Almedina Zuko, secretary-general of the Young Muslims Association, said her organisation opposed the event, but condemned the violence. "If these people (gays) have the right to express their views, so do the rest of us," she said. "I have the right to say that these people are immoral and deviant."

Where is the Diversity First crowd now? Cowering in the closet?